• Is it age appropriate?

  About our ratings

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  Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 14.

• Is it any good?

  3.0

• Common Sense says

  Gervais' irreverent fable looks at truth, lies, and faith.

Why We Rated This for Ages 14–15

The good stuff

• Messages:

  Although the movie is all about introducing the concept of lying to the world, the end take-away is that the world can be a bleak place if  you don't have faith in yourself and in the future. The movie also makes the point that it isn't necessary to say everything you think -- that there are times when telling the truth can be hurtful and unkind. A relationship based on outward appearances and superficial qualities ultimately proves to be unsatisfying and demeaning.
• Role models:

  Even though he sometimes uses the concept of lying for personal/petty gain, ultimately the main character most often lies in order to help people who are hurt, afraid, or feel hopeless. At a crucial point in the story, he faces a dilemma and must choose between an easy lie or a difficult truth. The kind-hearted leading lady learns to value more than good looks and outward charm.

What to watch out for

• Violence:

  A law enforcement officer roughly pulls a driver out of a car. Some boys pick on an overweight child and push an ice cream cone in his face.
• Sex:

  Other than a brief kiss, there's no visual sexual activity, but the characters talk about it often ("I'm not going to sleep with him," "touch boobies," "have sex with them," "it arouses me"), and there are a number of references to masturbation. A coupon is presented for "birthday sex," a sign advertising a motel reads: "A cheap hotel for intercourse with a stranger," the main character tests out the idea of lying by propositioning a beautiful woman, etc.
• Language:

  Occasional obscenities and use of derogatory terms, including: "f--k," "s--t," "manbitch," "crap," "prick," "boobies," "bastard," "faggot," "queer," and "douchebag."
• Consumerism:

  Plenty of in-your-face product placement throughout: Characters drink Budweiser beer in many scenes; other brands/products include Moet Champagne, Craigslist, and Pizza Hut. Coca Cola and Pepsi Cola advertisements are parodied in several sequences.
• Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

  Alcoholic beverages are consumed in many scenes: wine, champagne, whiskey. Beer drinking is particularly pervasive.  In some sequences, drinking is used to self-medicate for depression and hopelessness. Two characters are shown getting drunk in a bar; one then drives a car unsteadily, weaving across the road for comic effect.  One character declares that he's spent the night "throwing up pain killers," while another refers to his own "cocaine habit."

What Parents Need to Know

About The Invention of Lying

Families Can Talk About